Miami Basketball's Davon Reed Stepping Up Down the Stretch

Before the season started,  I wrote the following about Davon Reed:

"Davon Reed is the best player in the conference no one talks about.  His statistics last season were modest (other than shooting a ridiculous 45.7% from three) but that was due in part to missing the start of the season with injury. The 6'6 Reed can handle, shoot, finish, and especially defend."

For various reasons, Reed seems to always take a back seat to Sheldon McClellan, Angel Rodriguez, and more recently Ja'Quan Newton, in terms of acclaim when experts/pundits discuss Hurricanes Hoops.

But as we come down the stretch, and UM looks to make a run at an ACC Title as well as March Madness glory, the 6'6 junior from Ewing, N.J. is going to be harder and harder to overlook.

Last night Reed exploded for a career high 21 points, on an exceptionally efficient 6-8 from the floor, including 5-6 from deep.

More on Reed's terrific night below:

And over his last 9 games,  he has shown a lot more aggression, coming in at just over 13 ppg.

On the season, the smooth G/F averages 10.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists.

Coming in to last night, you could almost feel he was ready to explode.

Reed's emerging confidence was not lost on UM Head Coach Jim Larranaga,

"As good as Malcolm Brogdon was, Davon was sensational as well... Davon is such a terrific competitor.  He's such a great leader. He's tough, he's very intelligent, and he's very skilled. What I liked so much about his game tonight is that he looked very calm."

Reed is good enough to not only be a role player that occasionally explodes for games like last night, but a consistent force who regularly does so.

For the Hurricanes to go deep into March, they are going to need Reed to have nights like last.

Good thing for Miami, he looks like he is ready to do so.